About Me

I feel I am able to communicate
well and I have a good grounding
in people skills.......Basically
all humanity is the same!
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The foundation of this blog was cemented by the Assassination of Hrant Dink on 19.01.07. I was listening to Setrak Setrakian’s rendition of Arno Babajanian’s composition, Elegy. So
moved by Hrant’s shortened life by the virtue of speaking his mind that I wrote the poem, ‘Without You’ with Hrant's family in mind. The subject matter of the recognition of the ‘Genocide of the Armenians in 1915,’ is very much at the heart and the minds of Armenian's Internationally.
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I want to say: 'Thank you,'
to Keith for the Creation
and Launch of,
Seta's Armenian.blogspot.com
and Armenag for the sources
of information.
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If you feel it would be appropriate, please include a link to my Blog from your Site. I would like my Blog to be as eclectic as possible and include material from as many and different sources so long as it is relevant to my subject matter.

About My Blog

This well-established Blog is worth visiting on a regular basis for a wealth of information of interest to Armenian nationals and to the Armenian Diaspora world-wide. Although it has a particular role in promoting international recognition of the Genocide, the Blog encompasses much more and includes many articles of general appeal to all those concerned with Armenian affairs. Much of the content is difficult or impossible to find elsewhere and the long list of links provided gives easy access to a plethora of material on social, political, religious, educational and cultural matters, and many news items from around the world.

"I come to pay respect with some sadness - certainly sadness over what happened nearly 100 years ago but also sadness that it is long past time for the President and the Congress to formally recognize theArmenian Genocide." - Speaker Nancy Pelosi

WASHINGTON, DC – House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) was joined by more than a dozen of her House and Senate colleagues this week in urging passage of the Armenian Genocide Resolution, a move described by legislators on both sides of the aisle as a long overdue rejection of Turkey’s “gag-rule” on the U.S. Congress and a powerful step toward ending all forms of U.S. complicity in Turkey’s multi-million dollar campaign of denial, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

"Americans don't like gag rules," said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. "We saw that at this year's Capitol Hill observance, and we're seeing it across Congress, from both sides of the aisle. Americans don't appreciate a foreign government dictating our human rights policy and resent Turkey's attempts to veto America’s recognition of the Armenian Genocide.”

Speaker Pelosi’s remarks came at the annual Armenian Genocide Observance on Capitol Hill, organized this year by the Congressional Armenian Caucus. Over 200 Armenian Americans attended the function including Armenian Genocide survivors Rose Baboyan, Yeretsgeen Sirarpi Khoyan and Alice Shnorhokian. The event was preceded by a reception organized by the ANCA, U.S.-Armenia Public Affairs Committee and other organizations.

Speaker Pelosi, who received a standing ovation upon her arrival, noted that she keeps a copy of the front page of the October 11, 2007, issue of The New York Times, which features a photo of Armenian Genocide survivors attending the House Foreign Affairs Committee markup of the Armenian Genocide Resolution (H.Res.106). The Committee, despite intense pressure from the Turkish Government and personal pleas by President George Bush, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Defense Secretary Robert Gates and other Administration officials, passed the resolution 27 to 21. “Our work is not finished – there is much more to be done, but on that day, a very important committee of the Congress of the United States made a statement that was courageous – made a statement that was appropriate to the values of the American people – that nearly 100 years ago something happened to the Armenian people and we in the United States are prepared to call it a genocide,” stated Pelosi, who went on to note, “it is long past time for the President and the Congress to formally recognize the Armenian Genocide.”

Speaker Pelosi then went on to explain the modern day implications of genocide denial. “Many times people have said to me as we were bringing this up and since then ‘Why are you doing this? Even if it is genocide, it happened a long time ago?’ I said ‘I know, but genocide is happening right here and now on our planet. It happened in Rwanda, and it is happening in Darfur. And as long as it exists we have to make a statement about a genocide we know happened – no matter how long ago.’”

Majority Leader Steny Hoyer concurred, sharing with the assembled Members of Congress and Armenian American community activists, “Don’t accept the premise at all that this resolution is about what happened in 1915-1923. Does it recognize it, does it relate to it – of course. But it is a resolution that says not just to Turks, not just to the Armenian people, but to all peoples, that we need to recognize the transgressions of the past – however heinous they may be and however much we may want to deny them. Because if we do not, our children will not recognize their responsibility to never let it happen again.” Read More.

Friday, 25 April 2008

For every Armenian, for all of us this week will forever bear the deep scars of a tragedy that shook our nation more than any calamity Armenians went through in the millennia long history, a tragedy, repercussions of which we feel to this day and will bear in our hearts as long as we live. On April 24, we pay our tribute to the victims of the Armenian Genocide of 1915 that took the life of a million and a half of our compatriots and scattered the rest of us around the globe. At the same time, this is the day when we pay tribute to the unbreakable Armenian spirit - to the people who did the impossible to survive. Every Armenian family cherishes its own unique story of survival, of courage and heroism, of people who stood up against the murderous system of the Ottoman Empire and prevailed - saving the life of their loved ones and ensuring the future of our nation.

In this week’s report, we don’t want to focus on any development project but will instead talk about people, our people who live in the border villages today and despite all the difficulties manage to survive and raise a new generation of Armenians. These people are a powerful testimony to the might of the Armenian spirit, the spirit that we share with our compatriots scattered around the world, the spirit that can and will overcome all the difficulties and once again, against all the odds, we shall prevail.

About PEOPLE

For seventeen months now Arman is in border patrol in Lori region. With most of the two year military service behind him, his is now keeping a calendar on a wall, diligently crossing out the days to December 5th when he’ll be officially free to return to his family and girlfriend Anna in Yerevan .

You may remember Susanna from one of our previous reports. She is the principal of Dzoramut community school (Lori region). Thanks to her efforts, the school now has a computer lab with six computers that she bought with the money she managed to save over three years from the tiny school budget. Her dream is to see people who have left the village return and her school full of children again.

Talking of Dzoramut School students, here are the stars of the local football (also volleyball and basketball) teams (or so they told us).

Gurgen sells wine in a small market in the village of Areni. One of his marketing posters reads: super wine for super beautiful women (the man certainly has a way with words).

Ashot is four years old and lives in the community of Sizavet in Shirak region. Interests: football, cars, cartoons and more football. Future occupation: astronaut (naturally!).

Inviting us to her home for hot coffee and walnuts (delicious combination), Anush, the wife of the mayor of Machkalashen village in Karabakh told us about their life and her children who moved to Stepanakert a year ago. She hopes that one day her sons will be able to find a job in the village and return home.

Little Alex’s family is now in Russia’s Siberia region. He lives with his grandparents who get by with the money his parents manage to save up and send from abroad. Alex’s favorite days are Saturdays when his mom calls home.

When talking about life in border villages a million problems come to the surface; the road ahead is long and uncertain. Yet the resolve and the unwavering spirit of people who live there makes us certain that every village story will have a happy ending, that every separated family will reunite and every obstacle will be surmounted on the way to a brighter future.

Get involved!: Find out how you can have your input in developing the border villages by adopting a small project or giving as little as 1 cent (yes, one cent!). Find out more.

This report is also available in pdf format as well as in Armenian at Weekly Updates section of our website.

The Armenian parliament will ease next month severe restrictions on freedom of assembly that were imposed by it following the post-election unrest in Yerevan, a senior pro-government deputy said on Tuesday.

The restrictions took the form of amendments to an Armenian law on street gatherings. The National Assembly hastily passed them on March 17, four days before the end of a state of emergency imposed by then President Robert Kocharian in the wake of Armenia's disputed presidential election.

The amended law, which empowers law-enforcement authorities to ban anti-government demonstrations practically at will, prompted strong criticism from the international community. A partial or full repeal of the restrictions was a key demand contained in a resolution on Armenia adopted by the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) last week. The Venice Commission, another Council of Europe body, and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe said on Monday that the authorities have agreed to `repeal or change the amendments' soon.

David Harutiunian, chairman of the Armenian parliament committee on legal affairs, confirmed this, saying that the changes sought by the PACE will enacted by the end of May. Still, he made it clear that the law on rallies will not be brought back to its original content that had been approved by the Venice Commission and the OSCE.

Harutiunian also reaffirmed the government's stated commitment to complying with other PACE demands, notably the conduct of an `independent, transparent and credible inquiry' into the March 1 deadly clashes in Yerevan between security forces and opposition supporters. He suggested that such an inquiry be led by Armenia's state human rights ombudsman, Armen Harutiunian (no relation). The latter has questioned the use of lethal force against thousands of opposition supporters protesting against the official results of the presidential election.

The former justice minister also questioned the credibility of Armenian prosecutors' ongoing criminal investigation into the deadly clashes that has resulted in mass arrests of opposition leaders and supporters. `I think that there is still large room for increasing their professionalism,' he said of the investigators facing opposition allegations of a politically motivated witch-hunt.

The PACE resolution demanded `the urgent release of the persons detained on seemingly artificial and politically motivated charges.' Only one prominent oppositionist has been set free since its passage on April 17.

Agos executive editor Arat Dink was honoured by UK-based Index on

Censorship at a ceremony in London last night.

Dink was awarded the prestigious Guardian Journalism Award, which

recognises determined and brave journalism that often represents a

different point of view in the media.

Index on Censorship Chief Executive Henderson Mullin commented:

'The bravery of Arat Dink, and the rest of the staff of Agos, in the face

of Draconian laws restricting their freedom of expression, provides

inspiration for journalists throughout the world.

In honouring Arat, we also commemorate the work of his late father, Hrant Dink.'

Other award winners on the night included web portal wikileaks,

author Francisco Goldman, film maker Mohamed Al-Daradji

and U Gambira of the All Burmese Monks Alliance.For more information, call Index on Censorship +44 (0) 20 7278 2313www.indexoncensorship.org Notes for Editors: The eighth Index on Censorship Freedom of Expression

Awards were presented in London on 21 April.

Index on Censorship is one of the world's leading repositories of original,

On Monday, April 21, 2008 Israeli Police detained Fr. Norayr Kazazian,Dean of the St. Tarkmanchatz School of Jerusalem, in relation to theviolation of the Status Quo by the Greek Patriarchate of Jerusalem onPalm Sunday in Jerusalem's Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

Hundreds of Armenian clergy and local community activists gatheredtoday in front of an Israeli Police Station near the Armenian Quarterof the Old City of Jerusalem to protest the detainment of Fr. Norayr.

"I was called by the Israeli Police to show up at the Police Stationnear the Armenian Quarter as a potential witness for yesterday'sincidents. Upon my arrival, however, I was immediately taken forinterrogation not as a witness, but as a suspect," stated Fr. Norayrin a phone interview. During the interrogation, Fr. Norayr was orderedto sign a document stating that he would not enter the Church of theHoly Sepulchre for the next 10 days, a period which encompasses HolyWeek festivities in Jerusalem. "I refused to comply with the order ofthe Israeli Police, because it is an extreme violation of my religiousand civil rights," stated Fr. Norayr Kazazian. While the IsraeliPolice initially threatened Fr. Norayr's incarceration overnight untilan 8:00 AM court appearance on Tuesday, April 22, Fr. Norayr waseventually released by the Israeli police without having to sign anydocument, as a result of public pressure from outraged local andworldwide Armenians. In addition to Fr. Norayr, community leader SeropSahagian and his son were detained by Israeli police on Sunday, April20, 2008, and subsequently released. Father and son Sahagian were bothbanned from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for the next 10days.

The latest incidents are a continuation of rising tensions betweenArmenians and Greeks in Jerusalem, as a result of consistentviolations by the Greek Patriarchate of Jerusalem vis-à-vis the StatusQuo at the Tomb of Christ in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. In aninterview with ANN/Groong on Sunday evening, Fr. Norayr expressed asense of indignation and frustration over actions of the Israelipolice, as well as the latter's failure to uphold the centuries-oldterms of the Status Quo. Further, Fr. Norayr lamented that "theArmenian community is extremely concerned about the upcoming Holy FireCeremony at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. In particular, we areconcerned about the failure and insensitivity of the Israeli Police toenforce the Status Quo and uphold the rights of the Armenians in theChurch of the Holy Sepulchre," he added.

Hundreds of Armenian worshippers from Jerusalem and pilgrims fromthroughout the world were in attendance at Palm Sunday ceremonies atthe Church of the Holy Sepulchre. These pilgrims are also expected toparticipate in this week's Holy Fire Ceremony at the Church of theHoly Sepulchre in Jerusalem.

The largest circulating Armenian e-magazinewww.gibrahayer.comCirculates every WednesdayEstablished in 1999

GREEK FORMER MINISTER OF DEFENCE AKIS TSOKHADZOPOULOS, TO ADDRESS APRIL 24 COMMEMORATION IN CYPRUSTONIGHT AT 8:00

Wednesday 23 April at 8:00 pm - Former Defence Minister of Greece and PASOK MP Akis Tsokhadzopoulos is the main speaker of the Commemoration of The Armenian Genocide in PASYDY. The event is under the high auspices of The President of The House of Representatives Marios Garoyian.Buses will leave from the Armenian Churches of Limassol and Larnaca at 6:00 pm and bring community members to the political gathering.

Thursday 24 April - The Armenian Cypriot youth will distribute leaflets at Eleftherias Square, where information about the Armenian Genocide will be projected on a big screen.

Thursday 24 April at 5:00 pm - Holy Liturgy at Sourp Asdvadzadzin Church in Nicosia.

Thursday 24 April at 6:30 pm - March along Armenia street ending at Genocide Memorial

Thursday 24 April at 7:00 pm - Memorial and Vigil at the Genocide Memorial.

* MEPs appeal to the Turkish Minister of Justice* The European Armenian Federation calls for the abolition of article 301* The trial is postponed until a cosmetic reform of the TPC clauses which are a destruction of liberty

Eafjd Brussels - Four eminent members of the European Parliament – Mrs Koppa and Mr Toubon, both vice-presidents of the delegation EU-Turkey, Mr Gaubert, vice-president of the sub-committee on Human Rights and president of Licra[1], Mr Kasoulides, former minister of Foreign Affairs and recent candidate for the Cypriot presidency – have recently sent a letter to the Turkish Minister of Justice, Mr Sahin, in order to inform him of the Unions concern about the trial developments (see below[i]). The MEPs mention that the “long, costly and morally exhausting” trial comes from “judicial relentlessness”. They are also worried about Mr Zarakolu’s “physical security” regarding “nationalistic renewal in Turkey” especially revealed by the “murder of Hrant Dink and the revelations referring to the criminal organisation Ergenekon”. The MEPs ask Mr Sahin to “abrogate without any delay the 301 article and similar clauses” of the Turkish Penal Code and “other legislative and statutory texts which are effective in Turkey”. They also ask for the cessation of “iniquitous prosecutions” in opposition to Mr Zarakolu and they underline that his “condemnation and even more, any attempt to his integrity will constitute a cutting contradiction to the European ambitions of Turkey”. On April 9, at the end of another hearing of Mr Zarakolu, the criminal court in Istanbul decided to postpone the hearings until June 17, i.e. after the possible adoption by the Turkish Parliament of the amendments tabled by the AKP government referring to the 301 and 305 articles of the TPC. The European Armenian Federation reminds that Mr Zarakolu is a publisher and militates for several years in favour of Human Rights in Turkey. He is one of the founding members of the Turkish Association for Human Rights and he forms part of those dissidents prosecuted under the 301 article for having “insulted the State and the Republic” and “the memory of Ataturk”. In this case, Mr Zarakolu is prosecuted following the article 301 because he published two books on the Armenian genocide, the founding act and the major taboo of the Turkish state and society. One of the books deals with the rescue of an Armenian family by Turks during the genocide! “Mr Zarakolu case is without any doubt one of the most symbolic trials instituted by the Turkish State against one of its dissidents. Apart from the penal condemnation, Mr Zarakolu is enduring financial difficulties deliberately induced by the trial in order to reduce him to silence. Moreover, he fears now for his life as the trials are only a way to point out the potential victims to the killer teams controlled by the State” commented Laurent Leylekian, the executive director of the European Armenian Federation. According to the latest news, the “reform” proposed by the AKP recommends to replace in the 301 article which penalises “the insult to the Turkish identity, the Republic, State institutions and organs” the terms “Turkish identity” and “Republic” respectively by “Turkish nation” and “Turkish Republic”. The Federation considers that this “reform” will change nothing to the Turkish prosecutors dealings who – according to a recent poll – consider themselves as the guardians of the “National interest” of their country. “The Turkish prosecutors will continue prosecuting in the same way those who dare to speak about the Armenian Genocide, the occupation of Cyprus, or oppression of the Kurds. Europe has to force Turkey to abrogate these articles which clearly violate the Copenhagen criteria by penalising the freedom of expression not only of Turks but also of Europeans”, concluded Laurent Leylekian. Several international organisations, such as the International Publishers Association, the League for Human Rights, Amnesty International mobilised and launched petition campaigns and alerted the European Commission in the framework of Turkey’s “accession process”. They also point out that these trials violate at the same time “freedom of expression” and the “right to a fair and impartial trial” which are theoretically guaranteed by the European Convention on Human Rights. They ask for a total abolition of the 301 article and other similar clauses of the Turkish Penal Code.

Global Hye Information - Israeli police had to break up a fist fight that erupted between Greek and Armenian Orthodox clergymen at one of Christianity's holiest sites. The scuffles broke out at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem on Orthodox Palm Sunday. Brawls are not uncommon at the church, which is uneasily shared by various Christian denominations. In this case, witnesses say an Armenian priest forcibly ejected a Greek priest from an area near the tomb of Jesus. They say the attacker felt the Greek priest had spent too long at the tomb. When police arrived to break up the fight, some were reportedly beaten back by worshippers using palm fronds. Two Armenians were detained by police, prompting supporters to stage a rally in protest outside the police station. Rivalry between the six different churches which grudgingly share the Holy Sepulchre dates back to the aftermath of the crusades, and to the great schism between Eastern and Western Christianity in the 11th Century. Each denomination controls, and jealously guards, its own section of the labyrinthine site.

ARMENIA - CYPRUS CO-OPERATION

Gibrahayer - 21 April, 2008 - Nicosia - An agreement of Cooperation between the University of Cyprus and Yerevan State University was signed on Tuesday 15.04.2008 between the Rectors Professor Stavros A. Zenios and Professor Aram Simonyan in the presence of the Armenian Representative Mr. Vartkes Mahdessian. In the agreement it is stated that both institutions will promote research between faculty members, exchange academic material, promote lectures and discussions and study between undergraduate and graduate students, organise seminars and conferences together. Armenian MP Vartkes Mahdessian commenting to Gibrahayer on the signing said that this agreement "lays the foundation of a close co-operation between our homelands". He continued adding that the Armenian Representative will play an active role during the future co-operation between the two universities, which hopefully will open the way to establish an Armenian Chair in the University of Cyprus very soon. The singing of the agreement was a “step closer” concluded the Armenian MP.The establishment of an Armenian Chair was one of the major discussion points of Mr. Mahdessian which he suggested to Professor Stavros A. Zenios during their meeting on the 5th of March 2007 while discussing the fate of the Melkonian Institute’s wealthy library. Furthermore, the desire for the establishment of an Armenian Chair was stressed by Mr. Mahdessian in his speech during the “Minorities in Cyprus” Seminar held at the European University of Cyprus on 24-25 November 2007.

When Hay Tadi Hantsnakhpoumpi ungerner knock on your door, make sure you give them your support

Dear Simon,Thank you very much for giving us the opportunity to write something for your website about our forthcoming club tour to Cyprus. We appreciate being able to spread the word to as many Armenians not only in Cyprus but around the world. I have taken the liberty of preparing a short article summing up some information about our club and details of the tour itself. The Armenian Youth Association's Football Club's tour to Cyprus this May is a sentimental trip, as the founding members of the club all came from the island 44 years ago. We have had to be patient, and now with the cooperation of Cyprus Airways, and the tremendous support of its Senior Manager Andreas Agathou, our dream has finally come true. Our club chairman and former player and manager Emilios Nicolaou was one of the founder-members of AYA FC, who many years ago played for Cypriot team Pezoporikos, and the Cyprus national team alongside such legendary players as Panicos Krystallis, Andreas Pakkos and Panicos Efthymiades. Now he has passed on the mantle of leading the club to his son Nick Nicolaou, current manager. Last season, the 1st team secured promotion to the Second Division of the Chiswick & District Sunday Football League, while the newly formed 2nd team, led by Mark Bedrossian, son of Dick Bedrossian, another ex-player, played in the West Fulham Sunday Football League. This season (2007-08) the 1st team is once again chasing promotion, and has reached the final of the Feathers Cup, which will be played this Sunday 20 April against Barnes Eagles Seniors, provided the weather does not get any worse! The 2nd team has completed its season, and will be moving to the Chiswick & District League as of next season, starting in September this year. We arrive in Nicosia on Saturday 10th May, where we will be staying at the Centrum Hotel in the city centre. We have two games scheduled - the first is on Monday 12th May against the Bank of Cyprus, and the second is on Saturday 17th May against A.Y.M.A - both games kick-off in the afternoon. During our time in Cyprus we will be welcomed at an evening reception at the A.Y.M.A clubhouse on our day of arrival, and will be visiting the Melkonian Institute on Sunday 11th May. We have also been very fortunate to be able to arrange two day trips, thanks to the cooperation and support of the Cypriot Tourist Office here in London. The first is on Tuesday 13th May to Paphos, and the second is to Protaras on Thursday 15th May. We are especially looking forward to an evening dinner party at the home of Mr Vartkes Mahdessian, a former player with AYA, and now an elected representative of the Cyprus Armenian Community. Our return to London is on Sunday 18th May, in the afternoon. I would like to thank everybody that has helped us make this dream a reality. Without your support, our trip to Cyprus would not be possible and would remain a dream for years to come.

Armavia Armenian Air Company is expected to issue IPO (initial publicoffering) on the London Stock Exchange. The International FinancialCorporation, which is Armavia's partner, has offered the air company toissue IPO on the London Stock Exchange.

A private meeting between the Presidents of Azerbaijan and ArmeniaIlham Aliyev and Serzh Sargsyan, to discuss the resolution of theNagorno-Karabakh conflict may take place in the near future, MatthewBryza, the US Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasia, saidaddressing the meeting of the Commission on Security and Cooperation inEurope.

Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Governor of the State of California, hasproclaimed April 20-27 as "Days of Remembrance of the ArmenianGenocide." The proclamation of Governor of California ArnoldSchwarzenegger runs, in particular, as follows: "Every April, we taketime to commemorate the lives of those forever devastated by theArmenian Genocide. Between 1915 and 1923, more than one millionArmenians were killed in the territory of the Ottoman Empire, andcountless more lost everything they owned. Often listed as the firstgenocide of the twentieth century, these events had a life-altering impact on many, and stimulated an Armenian Diaspora.

The book 'A Shameful Act - Armenian Genocide and the Question ofTurkish Responsibility' by Turkish writer Taner Akçam was presented inthe former building of the Greek Parliament in the Athens. ArmenianAmbassador to Greece Vahram Kazhoyan, Greek parliamentarians and localArmenian community representatives participated in the presentationceremony. The book was also presented in Saloniki.

The city council of Ruse (Bulgaria) adopted a special resolution onrecognition of the fact of the Armenian Genocide. Ruse has become the4th Bulgarian city (after Burgas, Plovdiv and Varna) to recognise theArmenian Genocide.

Sports by Sevag Devletian

Nine men and six women chess players from Armenia will take part inthe European Chess Individual Championships in Plovdiv, Bulgaria.

Meline Daluzian (63 kg, Gyumri) and Nazik Avdalian (69 kg, Gyumri)from Armenia both won gold in the womens tournament of the European Weightlifting Championship being held in the city of Lignano, Italy. In the mens tournament of the same competition Armenian weightlifter Tigran Martirossian (69 kg) won gold outrunning his main competitor V. Dabaya of France with 13 kg.

Armenian taekwondo player Arman Yeremian (78 kg) won all five singlecombats and achieved the champion’s title in the European Taekwondo Championship held in Rome, Italy.

gibrahay calendarafter April 24

Saturday 3 May at 4:00 pm - On the occasion of Magaravank Day - preparation of Herissa at Nareg school yard

Monday May 5 at 8:00 pm - Public lecture entitled. "The Bible: Historical reflection on the Armenian translation and its role in developing Armenian National Identity", organised by The Armenian Evangelical Church. Speaker: The Rev. Dr. Manuel Jinbashian from Canada.

Saturday May 10 - Reception at AYMA welcoming AYA London Football Team.

Friday 9 and 16 May at 8:00 pm - The office of the Armenian representative Vartkes Mahdessian is organising a lecture in two parts on Road safety at the central offices of the Bank of Cyprus at Ayia Paraskevi. The lecture is open for people over 14 years old.

The Turkish minister sent a message to his Armenian counterpartVartan Oskanyan on Monday in which he called on him to start abilateral dialogue.

Babacan told journalists that Ankara sought to normalise relations withYerevan. "Turkey wants to normalise relations with Armenia. We makeour channels open for the dialogue with the new Armenian leadership,"Babacan said.

"Turkey is opened for a dialogue with Armenia in order to normaliseTurkish-Armenian relations in a new epoch," Babacan said. In his view,"The resumption of the bilateral dialogue will help solve the existingproblems in relations between the two countries."

In February the presidential elections were held in Armenia. SerzhSarkisyan won the elections. At present, Turkey and Armenia have nodiplomatic relations.

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Turkey's Foreign Minister Ali Babacan sent a letterto his newly appointed Armenian counterpart, saying that Turkey isopen to dialogue for normalization of troubled ties.

"There is no doubt that there are problems in the two countries'relations but a solution passes through dialogue. Our doors are opento dialogue," Babacan said during a news conference with visitingAustrian Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik, Turkish Daily News reports.

Commenting on the Armenian-Turkish relations, Armenia's ForeignMinister Edward Nalbandian said, "We have numerously stated that weare willing to normalize relations without preconditions. Genocideis a black page in our common history. We should turn over this pageand build our future."

"We received the letter from Babacan and we think it very positive,"the TDN quoted an Armenian diplomat, who wished to remain unnamed.

"But this [call for dialogue] should not only be in words, but also indeeds. We expect action," he said, reiterating Armenia's willingnessto re-establish diplomatic relations and re-open the borders withoutany preconditions. "This is one of the key elements.

It is nonsense for a European Union aspirant country to keep itsborders closed," the diplomat said.

The TDN article also mentions of the Armenian Diaspora's pressurefor international recognition of the Armenian Genocide as well as"invasion of Nagorno Karabakh, an Azeri territory, by Armenian troops."

Turkey closed its border with Armenia in 1993 over the NagornoKarabakh issue.

ArmInfo. Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan introduced structuralchanges in the country's government by his Apr 21 decree.

The Armenian presidential press-service told ArmInfo that in accordancewith the decree, the ministry of trade and economic development hasbeen transformed into a ministry of economy, and the ministry offinance and economy - into a ministry of finance. Furthermore, anemergency ministry has been created. The Rescue Service will operatewithin the frames of the emergency ministry as an operating statebody. The Armenian foreign ministry's Agency for work with Diasporahas been transformed into a state committee for work with Diasporaunder the RA foreign ministry, it also will have powers of a statebody. The Armenian government has been instructed to take relevantdecisions proceeding from the items of this decree within 1.5 months.

Israeli police had to break up a fist fight that erupted between Greekand Armenian Orthodox clergymen at one of Christianity's holiest sites.

The scuffles broke out at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalemon Orthodox Palm Sunday.

Brawls are not uncommon at the church, which is uneasily shared byvarious Christian denominations.

In this case, witnesses say an Armenian priest forcibly ejected aGreek priest from an area near the tomb of Jesus.

They say the attacker felt the Greek priest had spent too long atthe tomb.

When police arrived to break up the fight, some were reportedly beatenback by worshippers using palm fronds.

Two Armenians were detained by police, prompting supporters to stagea rally in protest outside the police station.

Rivalry between the six different churches which grudgingly sharethe Holy Sepulchre dates back to the aftermath of the crusades, andto the great schism between Eastern and Western Christianity in the11th Century.

Each denomination controls, and jealously guards, its own section ofthe labyrinthine site.

YEREVAN, APRIL 21, ARMENIANS TODAY - NOYAN TAPAN. The website ofthe Museum-Institute of Armenian Genocide, www.genocide-museum.am,is already operating in English. It has 500-600 visitors everyday. As historian Hayk Demoyan, the Museum's Director, saidat the April 21 press conference, that number will grow in thecoming days in connection with the 93rd anniversary of the ArmenianGenocide. According to the Director, the launching of the website'sEnglish department has purely strategic significance, as it presentsthe official position of the Museum-Institute of Armenian Genocide.

The website will also have Armenian, Russian, and Turkish versionsin the future.

The Museum's website consists of two parts: the horizontal partpresents information on the Museum-Institute of Armenian Genocideand the left perpendicular part contains documents and photographs,memories of people having experienced the Armenian Genocide, whichare periodically refreshed.

The latest materials of that part are evidence of Jewish and Swedisheye-witnesses about the Genocide.

Besides, a virtual museum is presented on the website: any person fromany point of the world can visit the website, roam about the memorialcomplex and museum in the three-dimensional virtual territory. It wasmentioned that in average 150-300 thousand people visit the Museumevery year and under the circumstance of existence of an electronicmuseum their number will grow considerably.

KPFA radio 94.1 FM, will be broadcasting a show about the Armenian Genocide on its Voices of the Middle East program, tomorrow, Wednesday, April 23rd, at 7:00 pm. You can also listen to yesterday's KPFA broadcast of Armenian music at http://kpfa.org/archives/index.php?arch=25916

The UC Berkeley Armenian Students' Association is hosting a series of events this week in remembrance of the Armenian Genocide, including "Aftermath of Genocide: Survivors and Denial," a lecture by Professors Stephan Astourian and Darren Zook, Wednesday, April 23rd, at 7:00 pm, 223 Dwinelle Hall, UC Berkeley.

The Armenian Genocide Commemoration program will take place in San Francisco, Thursday, April 24th, 7:00 pm, at Old St. Mary Church, 660 California St., San Francisco, 94108.

KPFA radio 94.1 FM, will be broadcasting a show about the Armenian Genocide on its Voices of the Middle East program, tomorrow, Wednesday, April 23rd, at 7:00 pm. You can also listen to yesterday's KPFA broadcast of Armenian music at http://kpfa.org/archives/index.php?arch=25916

The UC Berkeley Armenian Students' Association is hosting a series of events this week in remembrance of the Armenian Genocide, including "Aftermath of Genocide: Survivors and Denial," a lecture by Professors Stephan Astourian and Darren Zook, Wednesday, April 23rd, at 7:00 pm, 223 Dwinelle Hall, UC Berkeley.

The Armenian Genocide Commemoration program will take place in San Francisco, Thursday, April 24th, 7:00 pm, at Old St. Mary Church, 660 California St., San Francisco, 94108.

President Serzh Sarkisian completed the formation of his coalition government on Monday with the appointment of five more ministers, among them an influential figure close to his predecessor Robert Kocharian.

Under Armenia's constitution, the new government has to submit its policy program to parliament for a vote of confidence within the next 20 days. Such a vote is a mere formality as the National Assembly is overwhelmingly controlled by Sarkisian's Republican Party (HHK) and three other parties that signed a power-sharing with him last month.

Eleven of the 17 cabinet ministers named by Sarkisian since his April 9 inauguration occupied the same positions in the previous government that stepped down following last February's presidential election. The most prominent of the other ministers is Armen Gevorgian, the longtime head of the presidential administration and Kocharian's confidante. In an indication of Kocharian's continuing influence on government affairs, Gevorgian, 34, was appointed as deputy prime minister and minister for local government in place of another influential figure, Hovik Abrahamian. Abrahamian, who was Sarkisian's election campaign manager, will now serve as the chief of the new president's staff.

The other newcomers are Defense Minister Seyran Ohanian, Foreign Minister Eduard Nalbandian, Finance Minister Tigran Davtian, Transport and Communications Minister Gurgen Sargsian and Minister for Emergency Situations Mher Shahgeldian. Sargsian and Shahgeldian were picked because of their affiliation with the Orinats Yerkir Party of Artur Baghdasarian, who finished third in the disputed election.

The HHK's two other coalition partners, the Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK) and the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun), each retained their three ministerial portfolios. Dashnaktsutyun members, in particular, will continue to run the ministries of social affairs, education and agriculture.

A Dashnaktsutyun leader, Hrant Markarian, told RFE/RL earlier this month that the nationalist party is seeking to increase its presence in the government with `more influential positions' relating to defense, law-enforcement or finances. The party harbored similar hopes in the run-up to the May 2007 parliamentary elections. However, they were dashed by the HHK's landslide victory in the polls.

Dashnaktsutyun subsequently decided to challenge Sarkisian in the presidential ballot. Its candidate, Vahan Hovannisian, strongly criticized government policies during the election campaign and called for sweeping personnel changes in the highest echelons of power.

Hovannisian on Monday downplayed the apparent lack of such changes in the cabinet formed by Sarkisian. `The ministers will work the way the president and the prime minister will instruct them to,' he told RFE/ RL. `If new conditions of work are set for them, it will be clear before the end of this year who is really capable of doing a good job, not being corrupt and being in real control of their spheres.'

Hovannisian said in that regard he has high expectations from the new Prime Minister Tigran Sarkisian (no relation to Serzh). `I know him as a specialist of the highest level, and as prime minister, he will manage to implement programs that will enable us to move forward,' he said.

Speaking to university students in Yerevan on March 12, President Sarkisian hinted that the new government will be radically different from the previous one. `There will be changes which many people do not expect,' he said. Few of those changes proved unexpected, though.

Victor Dallakian, an independent parliamentarian close to some HHK leaders, claimed that Sarkisian planned a more radical government shake-up but eventually had to keep many unpopular Kocharian loyalists in the government because of the former president's decisive role in the violent suppression of post-election opposition protests.

`This is hardly the government Serzh Sarkisian dreamed about,' Dallakian told RFE/RL. `I wish the government all the best, but don't think it will achieve miracles.' `I think the president should gradually distance himself from Kocharian's cadres,' he said.

But Samvel Nikoyan, a senior HHK lawmaker, dismissed Dallakian's claims. `Let us not forget that many ministers worked with [Sarkisian] when he was prime minister,' he said. `He knows their potential. There is also a need to maintain continuity in the government's program and activities.'

Thousands Rally In Yerevan With Rare Government ConsentBy Astghik Bedevian

In what was the first opposition rally authorized by the Armenian government in two months, thousands of people assembled in Yerevan at the weekend to voice support for former President Levon Ter-Petrosian and his imprisoned loyalists.

It was also the largest gathering held since the deadly March 1 clashes between security forces and Ter-Petrosian supporters and the resulting declaration of a 20-day state of emergency in the Armenian capital. The authorities effectively banned anti-government demonstrations after the end of emergency rule with legal amendments strongly criticized by the West.

The Yerevan municipality unexpectedly sanctioned Saturday's protest but made sure that it is held not in Liberty Square, the scene of Ter-Petrosian's massive post-election demonstrations, but a small public located elsewhere in the city center.

The rally proceeded peacefully, with participants chanting `Levon!' and `Freedom!' and demanding the release of more than 100 opposition activists arrested as part of the ongoing government crackdown on the opposition. Ter-Petrosian, who was President Serzh Sarkisian's main election challenger, did not join the protest officially organized by a pro-opposition women's group. But his wife Lyudmila was in attendance.

Most of the speakers were the wives of some of the jailed oppositionists. `We will rally here, on Northern Avenue and Liberty Square until our husbands, brothers, fathers, sons and friends are freed, until our country is freed,' said Melissa Brown, the wife of Aleksandr Arzumanian, Ter-Petrosian's election campaign chief accused of plotting a coup d'etat and organizing `mass riots.'

The calls were echoed by Suren Sureniants, a senior member of the opposition Hanrapetutyun (Republic) party who was arrested on February 25 and released from jail pending trial last week. `I want all of us to demand freedom for our comrades,' Sureniants said in his speech.

Also addressing the boisterous crowd was the wife of Nikol Pashinian, an outspoken newspaper editor and Ter-Petrosian associate who has been in hiding since March 2. `I want to tell you on behalf of my husband Nikol Pashinian that our struggle is continuing,' said Anna Hakobian. `Serzh Sarkisian must understand that with [the use of force on] March 1 not only did the authorities fail to intimidate the people but actually took fear out of them.'

The rally came to an abrupt end after a senior police officer told organizers that the two hours requested by them for the protest have expired. The latter asked for an extra 30 minutes only to have electricity powering their loudspeakers cut off moments later.

Armenian and Assyrian groups have collaborated in an unprecedented joint

conference in the House of Commons, London on Genocide Day.

There is also Kurdish participation.

Any messages to the Conference from organisations or individuals aremost welcome to eilian@nant.wanadoo.co.uk. The speeches and somemessages will be published and sent to Members of ParliamentArmenian Solidarity with the Victims of All Genocides (ASVAG)